Simon Clark

It's a pity the game at Leicester is behind closed doors, I'd have fancied that one. And interesting to see how Jatta gets on. I'd maybe not play him at Eastwood next Tuesday, they had 2 players sent off for high tackles last night, so I read!

Sanderson missed quite a lot of last season through injury so had a lot of catching up to do, and it also explains why we didn't see him involved last season despite having a contract. I watch quite a bit of B team and U18 football and the vast majority of them are miles away from playing L2 football. And I mean absolutely miles. A loan spell can really see a player push on. I was mightily impressed with Daniel Adiefe when I saw him later in the season after he'd ben at Basford for a couple of months. He was much stronger and much more commanding than he'd previously been. There are 3 or 4 other academy players who I think have a chance, and training with the first team definitely improves them (Madou Cisse was a much better player for it) but the gap is enormous.

Total control, no. The problem with that is a manager goes and you need to replace the entire squad to match the new guy's needs. I like the stability we have but think it needs to be tweaked. Teams seem more comfortable playing against possession now. Look at Forest over this season plus Palace and Spurs in their recent cup finals. They let the opponents have as much of the ball as they want in areas it doesn't hurt them. They keep their shape instead of chasing shadows and by doing that, the gaps don't open up for those killer passes. I thought Maynard brough out more long balls to mix it up but it felt a little more hopeful than planned. I like possession, but the ball needs to move quickly, a bit more first touch, and players need to move instead of standing like statues.

Absolutely not Williams for me. Going back often doesn't work unless you have something amazing, like Moyes and Everton - and he was there several years and away for several years before going back. Williams had one season against teams who were - in the main - far worse than us and half a season where frailties were beginning to show. It was a great ride, full of memories, but thanks and no thanks. He's had a season where he was relegated and a season where he was sacked, I'd rather have someone with a better EFL record. Having said that, I fully expect someone I've never heard of.

I'd like to see what Traore can offer with a full pre season behind him. Jatta looked exhausted from around January onwards. I'd guess he's never played so many minutes in a season in his life, and it's a physical league. I'd sure he'll be better equipped next season. Although if money like that is on offer, it makes sense to take it.

No, I met his dad at a B team game earlier this season and it definitely wasn't Micky! Look out for him, though. For me, he's been the pick of the players coming through in this batch.

I wouldn't disagree with you, but a lot of fans forgave Williams far more easily than they forgive Maynard. You make good points in your last paragraph and this is why I'd like to see the experienced coaching staff around him. For the last 4 months, he hasn't really had much to bounce off.

I feel for him. I don't think anyone can question his effort and desire. From day 1, it has always been a 'management team', each with their own qualities to complement the others. In January, for whatever reason we will probably never find out for sure, 2 of them left without being adequately replaced. In any job, whatever it is, if you ask 1 person to do the job previously done by 3, they will become less effective. Our most creative player in Dan Crowley was sold without being adequately replaced. I understand the reasons why, the money was reportedly excellent for a player with 6 months left and he wanted to go. Those 2 factors weakened the second half of the season for even an experience coach / manager, so I'd like to see what he can do with an experienced and strong coaching staff. His big disadvantage is that he doesn't have the same charisma to carry fans along as some other managers have, and he will be under a lot of pressure if we get off to a slow start.

I know the list has been announced but - regardless of contract - mine would be to keep: Austin Bass Bedeau Jarvis Jatta Jones Macari McDonald McGoldrick Ness Palmer Platt Reynolds Robertson Whitaker That leaves plenty of room for quality signings and gives a depth of squad we've been missing this season. I fully expect some of our contracted players to move on although I also expect players like Grant and Edwards to play far more games next season than I'd want. But 'd be delighted for them to prove me wrong!

I think that sets the bar. If we're not offering Sam Austin a deal of any kind, I expect to see some real quality coming through the doors this summer. And one or two of the contracted players moving on a well. There seem to be a lot of academy players offered pro contracts too, I hope that's more than a numbers game. I am very impressed with Harrison Hazard, though, he's been excellent whenever I've seen him play.

He's more of an old style goalkeeper rather than a ball playing one, and he doesn't seem so comfortable with the ball at his feet. But that part of his game has improved massively in the last couple of years and I can't imagine too many better number two keepers in L2. He seems a fantastic professional, brilliant to have a round the place to help the other keepers and focussed and ready to step up when needed, as he's proved. His big failing is penalties, so if we have to go through the play offs, we'd better win in normal time!

I'm so sorry, I've only just seen your reply!! Thank you, that's a great help.

I think we could put together a half decent L1 team, but feel we're miles away from a L1 squad. Our best 11 each week could do ok, I think but our overall squad strength has been shown up in L2, even accepting this seems to have been a worse than normal season for injuries. That also makes it even harder for academy lads to make the breakthrough, so I think we'd be kicking that one several years down the line if you do go up, although we do have some useful prospects. Having watched the U18 and B sides a few times this season, it's been good to see the progress of some of them as well.

It depends on wage demands for me. I think he's looking better each game as he adapts to League football. There are very few George Abbott's or Ryan Yates' who step in as if they've been doing it for years and most young players take time to adapt. I'd be very happy to keep him and hope we can get an agreement. With the likes of him and Jarvis, it allows us to get in some experience for balance.

I can't imagine money will be a problem as he loves the club and our owners play fair. We won't be looking to underpay him and he won't be looking to squeeze every penny out of us. His influence right throughout the club is massive so absolutely offer him another deal.